“The job was too big for David Moyes,” Moran said this morning. “It was a surprise when he got the job in the beginning as there was the option of Mourinho at the same time. Manchester United is such a huge club that it needs a manager who knows how to win trophies and who has won them before. Mourinho has proven that he can do that.

Speaking on Newstalk this morning, Moran said: “It has been said that Mourinho does not stay at clubs long enough but I disagree with that. With Chelsea, he wanted to stay there but Abramovich got rid of him. At Inter Milan he was seen as a stop gap. At Real Madrid there was always the problem with the divisions between the Spanish and Portuguese there. But he always said he wanted to come back to England because he loves the supports and the media.

“I think he would have loved to be the Manchester United manager. Yes, he shows some petulance on occasion. But what Mourinho does have is an unbelievable ability to win games and win trophies. That is what is Manchester United is all about."

Moran also said he would like to see Carlo Ancelotti considered if Mourinho wasn’t tempted by the job.

“I would like to see Ancelotti considered. I think United have someone in mind, though."

Moran said that the expectation at Manchester United was not matched by Moyes this season.

“It is a big place for even players to come. Even those players who were at big clubs. The expectation there is so high. For a manager to come – especially after the reign of Alex Ferguson – the job was too big for him.”

Speaking on Newstalk this morning, former Man United and Rep of Ireland great Moran said he hopes that the current Chelsea manager is offered the job.

Moran was a central part of Manchester United when Alex Ferguson became the manager in 1986. After a decade playing for United, Moran left Old Trafford in 1988, having played for Ferguson for 18 months. Despite a very vocal element of United supporters baying for Moyes’ head, Moran paid tribute to the fans.

“The Manchester United fans have been absolutely magnificent. They never really turned on him at all.”

Moran said that Ferguson’s barren run at the start of his Manchester United career could not be used as indicator.

“Football has changed a lot in the last 26 years since Alex Ferguson was there. You can’t afford to give that time with things changing so quickly. They are out of the Champions League next season and they can’t afford to be out again. That would have been unthinkable at the start of the season. ”

Moran was also critical of Moyes’ tactical abilities.

“You look at the manager and where he was going and you couldn’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

"You look at the poor man and you saw how much he had aged. A lot of the players haven’t performed but there were so many times when Manchester United played this season and you didn’t know how they were player – what formation they were playing. If that is the case, it’s the manager’s fault. He must be culpable.”

Moran believes that the player have to take some responsibility for Moyes’ sacking.

“A lot of players haven’t performed. But for the 10 months that Moyes was there, it looked as though the job was far too big for him. He did a great job at Everton but he had not won anything as a manager. He only qualified for the Champions League once ten years ago. I don’t think there was that fear factor that players need in the dressing room. Sometimes if a manager tells you to go and do something, if you don’t have the confidence in him, you won’t be able to do it to the best of your abilities.”